Where Manufacturing Matters

Manufacturing Monthis a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. It addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. To match up with Manufacturing Day, which takes place on October 6th, the state of Ohio celebrates Manufacturing Month the entire month of October.

As one of the fastest-growing and most innovative manufacturing hubs in the country, Ohio companies and nonprofits use this opportunity to work together to change perceptions of the manufacturing industry and spark student interest in manufacturing careers. Last year, Ohio played host to nearly 200 Manufacturing Day events, beating out rich manufacturing areas such as New York, Indiana, and Texas.

One of many events kicking off Manufacturing Month this year is WIRE-Net’s signature fundraising event—our Nuts and Bolts Fundraising Bash—which takes place on Thursday, October 5th 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Windows on the River in downtown Cleveland. The annual event, presented for the fifth year in a row by Spooner Incorporated, is WIRE-Net's signature fundraiser that launches our giving season with generous sponsorships and donations of in-kind prizes and cash contributions which are invested back into WIRE-Net’s workforce development, manufacturing excellence, and other mission driven programs used to address topics critical to manufacturers in Northeast Ohio. New to the event this year, we will accept Advance Bids for our Silent Auction through Wednesday, October 4th, until bidding resumes at the bash on October 5th. Please join us for a fun night of networking to help kick off manufacturing day and month here in Cleveland!

In addition to WIRE-Net’s Nuts and Bolts Bash, WIRE-Net organizes tours and jobs shadows for manufacturing students at Max Hayes High School as part of Manufacturing Month. On past tours students were introduced to Global Manufacturing Systems part of General Motor’s Simulated Work Environment Training Program, robot programming and races at Rockwell Automation, and was able to view a Mars Rover from NASA Glen Research Center at Formtek. In addition to the tours, select 11th and 12th grade students have taken part in job shadowing experiences at the Great Lakes Towing Company, Jergens, and Hose Master which gave CNC Machining, Welding, and CADD students a firsthand look at careers in advanced manufacturing.

To find out more about what’s taking place in Ohio on Manufacturing Day (or how to put on an event of your own), visit MFGDay.org or follow @MFGDay on Twitter.